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but the premiere episode, "Winter is Coming," not only effortlessly takes us along, faithfully, through the book, but it also manages to capture the majestically morbid spirit of Martin's pages and turn them into thrilling television.
We are entering the period in which HBO’s Game of Thrones will be placed under the critical microscope – while a few early reviews (my own included, I guess) were overwhelmingly positive, it was inevitable that some less-than-positive reviews would filter in
And it's not possible to overstate Bean's importance to this show -- Ned Stark's goodness, rough intelligence and quiet strength anchor the proceedings in countless necessary ways.
There are a million other things I can say in praise of Game of Thrones – Sean Bean’s awesome performance
A Game of Thrones is the television event of the year and it exceeds every expectation and hope we had for it
Sean Bean as Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark of Winterfell is exceptional as the brooding man of the North who adheres to the honorable old ways. Juxtapose that with
The casting on this is really exceptional, from the well-known actors like Bean (who has the difficult task of making a man largely defined by his goodness not seem dull),
The two stars are definitely Sean Bean as the noble but shortsighted Eddard "Ned" Stark, and Peter Dinklage as the mocking, pampered dwarf Tyrion Lannister
Sean Bean, in particular, occupies a lot of screentime in the first episode and you can easily think of him as the show's main character, and follow his story until you figure out who all these other people are.
For example, you know you’re in a dark world when the noblest soul at the center of your story is Sean Bean.
. Pretty much every closeup of Sean Bean as Ned Stark; man, that dude can emote
As the reluctant warrior Ned, Bean has a weary honor, set off sharply by the cynicism of the golden-haired, deep-pocketed Lannisters
Sean Bean's performance has an element of humour and nuance to it that I think will surprise some
The Starks (close-knit, big, a militarized The Waltons who wear pelts).
But Bean is an island and holds the entire series tightly in his grasp with great subtlety.
In response to the infamous and unenlightened review by New York Times columnist Ginia Bellafante, George R. R. Martin has responded with his own views on his Not A Blog:
Game Of Thrones: don't believe the gripesDon't listen to the naysayers – George RR Martin's Game Of Thrones gets better and better with each episode
And Sean Bean. Bean really deserves his own personal health warning. It's fair to say that when you see the bluff Yorkshireman's name in the titles, it's unlikely that what follows will include scenes in which urban professional types discuss their feelings and, in a spirit of therapeutic understanding, resolve their differences over a lentil roast and a chilled glass of Sancerre.Say what you like about Bean, but no one has ever accused him of raving metrosexual tendencies. At least not to his face
QuoteAnd Sean Bean. Bean really deserves his own personal health warning. It's fair to say that when you see the bluff Yorkshireman's name in the titles, it's unlikely that what follows will include scenes in which urban professional types discuss their feelings and, in a spirit of therapeutic understanding, resolve their differences over a lentil roast and a chilled glass of Sancerre.Say what you like about Bean, but no one has ever accused him of raving metrosexual tendencies. At least not to his facehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/apr/24/game-of-thrones-doctor-who?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fmedia%2Frss+%28Media%29
QuoteAnd Sean Bean. Bean really deserves his own personal health warning. It's fair to say that when you see the bluff Yorkshireman's name in the titles, it's unlikely that what follows will include scenes in which urban professional types discuss their feelings and, in a spirit of therapeutic understanding, resolve their differences over a lentil roast and a chilled glass of Sancerre.Say what you like about Bean, but no one has ever accused him of raving metrosexual tendencies. At least not to his face
There were endless ways, even without Bean's presence, in which this series could have appeared comically ridiculous.
Sean Bean did exemplary work in the confrontation with King Robert and Queen Cersei (his delivery of the line, "The wolf is of the North. She deserves better than a butcher" was excellent). There was also nice ferocity from Maisie Williams as Arya. Whatever objections I have to this show, they usually drop away whenever Arya or Ned are on the screen.The other moment that really connected for me was Ned's execution of Lady, Sansa's direwolf. Great acting can do a lot to convey a large amount of information, and Sean Bean did that here. In a wordless scene, you saw gut-churning unhappiness on Ned's face -- unhappiness that had many causes.
Anytime a bare tit falls (or is forced) from a lass' blouse or a rhythmic thwack thwack thwack is heard, a thousand proper ladies will spit out their tea and cover their children's eyes
The acting so far has been superb. Sean Bean, who played Boromir in Lord of The Rings, is Ned Stark. With his powerful acting, Bean truly allows audiences to feel his ongoing conflict between firm ruler and family man
This article appears in the May 12, 2011 issue of Rolling Stone. The issue is available now
After just three episodes, Game of Thrones is already on its way to becoming the kind of TV show that produces a messianic fervor among viewers.
